Question by Chelsea: How late can you start high fashion modeling?
Around what age is considered “old” to agencies such as Elite and Ford?
Best answer:
Answer by Miya
13 is when you should had started if you werent signed by 17-18 your career is over before it even started
Add your own answer in the comments!
Most models are done by 27, so I’d say 23 or so, unless you are exceptional. Most start as soon as they are tall enough, usually 15 or 16.
Elite accepts submissions up to age 22 http://elitemodels.com/bediscovered.aspx?city=NY
Ford accepts submissions for New Faces/Main Board up to age 22, or if you are over 25, you can try for the Ford Classic division – though most of the models in the division were models when they were younger, and have either continued, or left the business for a few years to go to college, have a family, get a job, etc, then decided to get back into modeling. They are booked mainly on commercial print work
17-18. girls start when they are 13 to 14 years old typically, up to age 16, but after that they question why youre starting so late. elite and ford are only two agencies- ALL agencies are brutally competitive, and you must fit the mold of a model perfectly for them to consider you. first off, you do have to be young. secondly, you must be at least 5’8″, although if youre only 5’8″ you will have a very tough time getting signed anywhere- 5’9″ and preferably taller is what they look for. third, you have to fit sample sizes; a dress size 2 or 4, with a super long inseam (super long legs). fourth, your proportions have to be perfect and your measurements must fit a super narrow and very limited range and fourth you have to have a symmetrical face with excellent skin, chiseled features that are “hot” for the moment in the industry and perfect teeth. and even with all those things, girls get turned down every day who in the real world are constantly asked if they are models. age is an important factor, but you need EVERYTHING the industry wants or they will turn you away. elite and ford get thousands of submissions per DAY and choose about 12 girls every 6-8months or so, and all other legit agencies are no different. if you want to see an accurate portrait of the real modeling industry, dont watch shows like americas next top model- its NOTHING like that, and the industry doesnt embrace short girls and curvy girls like tyra banks does, which is why very few of the girls on the show ever work after the show wraps. its way more harsh and they are very blunt. size 4 is considered fat and they tell you that to your face, and 22 is considered ancient. a more realistic show is “the agency”, which is a reality show that goes inside the women’s division of wilhelmina. you can get it on itunes; i always recommend it to girls who learn about modeling through tv shows, etc- aka, girls who really dont know how the industry really is